Having successfully completed a kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a video earlier this year, Loa Greyson (a.k.a. Tini Grey) released the completed video today for his hit single Waiting For Me on the Shore. Written by Chris Gelbuda (Meghan Trainor) and GRAMMY® Award winner Tim Fagan (Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz, John Mayer), Greyson is the first artist to record the song, traveling to Nashville to work with Gelbuda at The Green Room recording studio (Rascall Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn). Greyson released the single following an eventful year which included an appearance on NBC’s hit show “The Voice” – an appearance that resonated with young musicians, particularly islanders living far from home, who contacted him to say he had inspired them to do things they never thought possible. As an islander living away from home himself, Greyson felt an instant connection to Waiting For Me on the Shore, which evoked both memories of his island home and the excitement of returning there. He wanted to make a video to accompany the song in hopes that it would encourage all people, especially islanders, to embrace their culture, family, and community, particularly in times of hardship and doubt. The video focuses on a Polynesian man (played by Stephen Seanoa) who has lived away from his island home for many years. Married and a father, life is good, but there are struggles as well. The video shows some of the sacrifices he makes for his family and the conflicts he encounters mentally, physically, spiritually, and culturally, and shows him both at his best and during moments of defeat. Anaheim Studios’ Daley Hake and Aaron Huisman (best known for his work with superstars Michael Bublé and Josh Grobin) produced the video, which was shot at Anaheim Studios and on the rooftop of Hollywood Audio Lab (Marc Solomon). Dancers from Lokelani's Rhythm of the Islands, Isle Entertainment, and Tupua Productions also appear. Son of the late Pete Seanoa (a pioneer in Polynesian Entertainment in Southern California), Stephen Seanoa immediately came to mind for the lead role when Greyson first started brainstorming the concept of the video. Just as Greyson is following in his father’s footsteps musically, Seanoa followed in his own father’s footsteps as leader of Tupua Productions, and he was able to portray precisely what most Polynesian men living away from home feel at some point in time. His family joined him in the video, in the rooftop scenes at the end.The single is available on iTunes . Here is the video:

It’s been eight long years since crowd favorites and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Maunalua (Bobby Moderow, Jr., Kahi Kaonohi, and Richard Gideon) released their last album, but on July 17, 2015, fans will be rewarded for their loyalty and patience with the release of the group’s highly-anticipated fourth album, He Inoa.

He Inoa (“We Are” Maunalua) was so named because it introduces the group’s newest member; vocalist and ʻukulele and guitar player Richard Gideon, who joined the group in 2009. The album continues Maunalua’s tradition of blending unique harmonies, kī hōʻalu (slack key) guitar, and ʻukulele, and features a blend of traditional Hawaiian songs such as “Hilo One” in a medley with William S. Ellis’ “Hula O Makee”; hula standards such as “Pua ʻAhihi” (a trademark song of the Kahauanu Lake Trio); and several original songs, including one by band member Bobby Moderow (“Spirit of Hawaiʻi”) and another by the award-winning Kumu Hula and multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Manu Boyd, who composed “Maunalua He Inoa” especially for them.

The album also includes fan-favorite “He Is the Only Reason,” with a twist suggested by the group’s award-winning producer Dave Tucciarone, that adds a whole new dimension to the song – that of Denny Hemingson’s (Tim McGraw and Faith Hill) pedal steel guitar, which gives it a bit of a country gospel feel and elevates the song to a whole new level not previously heard in the group’s live performances. Other guest artists include Casey Olsen, who plays steel guitar throughout the album; Hoʻomanawanui Apo who plays piano on “Ke Aloha”; and Keo Skudlarick on percussion for “Ke'Ala O Ka Rose”.

He Inoa was produced by Maunalua and Dave Tucciarone, and recorded at Tucciarone’s Seventh Wave Productions studio. It features all three members of the group on vocals, with Bobby Moderow, Jr. (who was recently awarded the Kī Hō‘alu Foundation Legacy Award) on slack key guitar, Kahi Kaonohe on electric bass, and Richard Gideon on guitar and ʻukulele. The album will be available in both digital and CD format at a variety of retail outlets.

A pre-CD release party will be held the night before the official release date at Pakele Liveat the Willows (901 Hausten St., Honolulu) on July 16, 6:30-8:30pm, and live streamed at https://livestream.com/pakele/maunalua . The album will be available for purchase for those who attend.

Stephen Inglis, the versatile guitarist and singer-songwriter, Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Hawai’i Music Award winner and GRAMMY® nominee best known for his prowess with Hawaiian slack key guitar, has released his seventh solo album. Learning You By Heart, released June 21, 2015, paints the most complete picture to date of the depth of Stephen’s talents. His love of many forms of American roots music shine throughout, with the heart of Hawaiian slack key still beating in time. The album’s 13 original songs include four co-written with the award-winning and world renowned author, historian and filmmaker Gavan Daws. Legendary duo Tuck and Patti appear as guest artists and producers on the track, “Don’t Postpone Joy.”

Regarded as one of Hawai’i’s most diverse artists, Stephen played in a concert hall piano recital at age five and formed a group with legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzman when he was barely out of his teens. He has a strong respect for tradition, but is also a creative innovator. For his album Slackin’ on Dylan he married slack key guitar with 13 well-known songs by Bob Dylan and re-envisioned them in his own unique style, winning a Hawai’i Music Award for his efforts. Waimaka Helelei, his duet album with multiple GRAMMY® winner, slack key master and prolific songwriter Dennis Kamakahi was dedicated to the people of Kalaupapa and Hale Mohalu (who suffered from Hansen’s disease) and contained original songs composed by Stephen and Dennis as well as compositions by the late composer/activist Bernard Punikaiʻa. The CD not only won Hawaii’s highest musical honor, a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award, it’s on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Author

Originally from California, Iʻve lived on Oʻahu for a number of years. Music has always been my passion and Iʻm fortunate to be able to work with and support many of Hawaiʻiʻs musicians. For such a tiny speck in the middle of a very large ocean, we have an amazing wealth of talent here! ~Lynn

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